Washington Shipping Container Transport Company

The key ports for shipping containers in Washington are the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma. These two ports have joined forces to create The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA). Together, they make up one of the largest shipping gateways in the United States and play a crucial role in trade with Asia and Alaska.

Key Washington Container Ports

• The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) - Seattle & Tacoma: As key shipping hubs, these ports handle large volumes of international goods. The Port of Tacoma serves as a major deep-water terminal, while the Port of Seattle offers convenient rail connections right on-site, making it easier to transport cargo.
• Port of Grays Harbor: This port, situated by the sea, is famous for handling a wide range of goods.
• Columbia River Ports (Vancouver, Kalama, Longview): Although these deep-water ports are primarily known for handling large shipments, they also play a vital role in Washington's shipping and transportation system.

Key Details regarding the NWSA - The Northwest Seaport Alliance (Seattle/Tacoma)

• Capacity: The ports work together to handle over 2 million shipping containers every year.
• Major Trade Routes: They play a vital role in trade with Asia and manage about 80% of all ocean cargo traveling between Alaska and the rest of the United States.
• Specialization: They are the second-most crucial entry point in the United States for exporting refrigerated goods and merchandise.
• Infrastructure: The terminals are equipped with up-to-date tools for managing cargo, have trains available right at the location, and offer easy access to major roads.

Intermodal container transportation in Washington

In Washington State, goods are shipped from Asia to the Port of Seattle/Tacoma, where they are transferred to trains like Union Pacific or BNSF for regional distribution. Trucks then deliver the items along highways like I-5 and I-90 to warehouses or stores.

Examples of Intermodal Container Transportation in Washington:

• Port of Seattle/Tacoma to Inland Distribution: Shipping containers that arrive on ships are taken off and then placed onto trains operated by BNSF or Union Pacific. These trains transport the containers to various locations inland.
• Drayage Operations: Trucks transport containers between ports, rail yards and local warehouses.
• Trucking Routes: The principal corridors facilitating this movement include Interstate 5 (I-5), Interstate 90 (I-90) and Interstate 82 (I-82).
• Specialized Cargo: Transportation of overweight 20-foot and 40-foot containers for shipping companies.

This system makes it safe and straightforward to move goods using various modes of transportation, such as ships, trains, and trucks, without having to take the cargo on and off each time.

Heavy Equipment Transport (HET) is an expert in intermodal transportation and logistics planning for shipping containers to or from Washington, nationwide and overseas.